Fresh Blood Halloween Special at The Birdcage, Norwich with Birds of Hell, Milly Hirst, Tristan McKelvey, True Adventures, Phoebe Troup 30 October 2014
This was a fun and friendly Halloween special in the ever lovely Birdcage. With films projected behind the stage including Dracula, and the Bride of Frankenstein some of Norwich’s great musical talents played a selection of their own songs with a few dark covers sprinkled in.
Phoebe Troup opened the evening, acoustic guitar and folk songs which were beautifully delicate. She was followed by Sam in his new venture, the True Adventures, surreally introduced by Alex with a “Put your fish together for True Adventures” which made me laugh, a lot! Sam played another lovely set, so lovely that Maraud wandered in and settled for a nap in his guitar case! At one point Sam mentioned how hot it was and started to undress, revealing his skeletal pyjamas beneath his jeans. It was that sort of evening.
Tonight Tristan McKelvey was playing with Will Vaughan of Crystal Bats and also his producer, joining him on keys, to great effect. I think this was the best I’ve heard Tristan. Fragile and melancholy songs with a bit of darkness. It sounded very good.
Milly Hirst was also in very fine voice tonight too, playing Book or a Film, Gentle Sailor (which has had airplay on Hollyoaks!!) and a gorgeous I am Stretched on Your Grave, her Halloween pick. Always a delight to hear Milly sing and she was in great form, singing with tender emotion, expression, clarity and purity. She silenced the room and held it captivated in a way only she can.
Birds of Hell was a wise choice for a Halloween gig, and Pete certainly looked the part with his face a mass of bruises and blood trickling from his eyes, ears, nose and mouth. We had a very dark Boa Constrictor and his cover choice, Wayfaring Stranger, sung from the perspective of Nosferatu. Extraordinarily excellent stuff. We had a moment around the piano before a finale where the entire room helped record a new video on his phone. This was fantastic fun with everyone huddled in a close packed circle while audience members took turns to film themselves, I can’t wait to see the finished results. Always a treat to be at a Birds of Hell gig … I’ve been to countless over the past year or two and it’s been different every time.
Many thanks to Alex Carson, The Birdcage, and all the artists.
richard shashamane 2014 photos (c) all rights reserved
@RShashamane
https://www.facebook.com/NorwichLiveMusicPhotos
http://www.thebirdcagenorwich.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Birds-Of-Hell/389667241148381
https://www.facebook.com/Tristanmckelvey?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/trueadventures.yes?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/TomorrowsNostalgiaToday
https://www.facebook.com/ShashamaneArtPhotography